Emma Raducanu confirms United Cup return with special ranking

Emma Raducanu will make her competitive return at the United Cup in January 2027 after a six-month injury absence. The 2021 US Open champion will use a special ranking of 38 to enter tournaments, bypassing her current world ranking of 107 which would likely be too low for direct entry into events like the Australian Open.

Raducanu has not played since June 2026 due to a stress fracture in her shin, sustained during her loss to Donna Vekic in the Queen's Club final on June 14. The injury forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon just two weeks later. The special ranking rule, which applies to players sidelined for at least six months, assures her entry into the Australian Open main draw and WTA 1000 events in Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami.

United Cup call-up and team selection

Raducanu will lead Great Britain at the mixed-team United Cup, which runs from January 1-10. Her special ranking of 38 will make her the British number one for the event. The British team for the United Cup also includes Francesca Jones, Jan Choinski, Neal Skupski and Olivia Nicholls.

Raducanu's group matches in Sydney will be against Australia and France. She can expect to face current top-40 players Talia Gibson and Diane Parry.

Return timeline and warm-up plans

Raducanu, who turned 24 recently, returned to training in September 2026. Recent practice sessions in London with head coach Andrew Richardson and LTA national coach Alex Ward have been increasing in intensity. She may undertake a warm-weather camp in the Middle East ahead of her January return, though she is not expected to play any exhibitions before the end of the year.

Raducanu contemplated playing events in Asia this autumn but ultimately delayed her comeback until January. The entry deadline for the United Cup passed shortly after her application for a special ranking was approved.

Comparative returns and season context

Raducanu's match load since her US Open victory has been limited. She has averaged just 31 matches a season over the last five years, with a career-best of 50 matches last year.

Her return path mirrors that of compatriot Sonay Kartal, who enjoyed success after a six-month back stress fracture. Kartal beat world number six Elina Svitolina and world number 12 Belinda Bencic en route to the Wuhan Open final shortly after her return. Kartal said there were 'lot of conversations' about where she should make a return. She added, 'I wanted to just go straight in. I trusted that I would be able to get my level back, I just didn't know how quickly.'

Raducanu's early 2026 season was also disrupted by bone bruising in her foot and a two-month post-viral illness between March and May. A final scan on the eve of Wimbledon confirmed the shin stress fracture, despite her having trained in desperation to play against medical advice. She will now focus on her United Cup matches in Sydney against Australia and France in the first week of January.